The Age Footy Legend no 7: Gary Ablett Snr

[iameviljez]

Maybe, but having lived through ALL those you named, except Coleman, I will always have GAS as GOAT. 3 consecutive seasons of 120+ goals at his age is unsurpassable imho.

Especially in an era where players did not play well after 30. (Mind you, it was an era where forwards could kick centuries, too).

 

[Tony Barber]

Maybe, but having lived through ALL those you named, except Coleman, I will always have GAS as GOAT. 3 consecutive seasons of 120+ goals at his age is unsurpassable imho.

I've probably said this before here.
But I actually quit playing footy solely due to the fact that I was not getting to see him play every weekend.

And for the youngsters. We were playing on Saturday afternoons only back then. With the exception of the once a year Sunday game in Sydney.

 

[Partridge]

Reckon had Gary Ablett Jr been a one club player the margin between him and his dad would have been negligible in the eyes of plenty of Geelong supporters.

Not so sure. I'll freely admit Ablett junior's absolute peak years were probably at Gold Coast. If not for injury he was sailing away with a 3rd Brownlow medal as well. So I don't just consider his Geelong years - and for me he was our best player by a mile from 2007-2010. Even among midfielders it wasn't close. But I'd still put his dad ahead.

 

[gogeelongcats]

Gary Ablett Sr. is one of the greatest players in the game's history. He has never been charged with any offences but has faced judgment from some quarters. Should we exclude someone from recognition due to perceived indiscretions and grandstanding? It’s absurd.

Ablett Sr. deserves to be acknowledged as a legend of the game. Denying him that honour diminishes the credibility of the award itself.

 

[iameviljez]

Gary Ablett Sr. is one of the greatest players in the game's history. He has never been charged with any offences but has faced judgment from some quarters. Should we exclude someone from recognition due to perceived indiscretions and grandstanding? It’s absurd.

Ablett Sr. deserves to be acknowledged as a legend of the game. Denying him that honour diminishes the credibility of the award itself.

When almost 40, a 20 year old groupie was killed by hard drugs he supplied her on a massive bender one-on-one in his private hotel room.

He also assaulted his ex-wife’s new partner.

This is serious stuff. The threshold for “legend” is a lot higher than for that for “not in prison”.

 

[dazbroncos]

Not so sure. I'll freely admit Ablett junior's absolute peak years were probably at Gold Coast. If not for injury he was sailing away with a 3rd Brownlow medal as well. So I don't just consider his Geelong years - and for me he was our best player by a mile from 2007-2010. Even among midfielders it wasn't close. But I'd still put his dad ahead.

Agreed. GAJ was perhaps more constant but GAS just did it bigger and more flashy all the time.
No knock on GAJ… like having a painting judged second to Michelangelo
Go Catters